Ch.125Change Is Dangerous (1)

After everyone left, we spent a long time catching up on all the conversations we’d missed.

Most of them were about what had happened in Thebe after I left.

“…Teacher was also a kind of restraint. For a while, things were quite chaotic.”

From what I heard, neighboring countries that had been cautious around me started engaging in psychological warfare, and powerful figures who had been waiting for an opportunity began to make their moves.

“So you filled that void, and then met Serejia to attempt dimensional travel again?”

“Exactly. All because of someone who left the planet without any explanation or goodbye.”

“……”

Since there were many aspects of that which made me feel guilty, I discreetly averted my gaze.

“Still, she wouldn’t have agreed to your request so easily, right? Dimensional travel isn’t exactly simple.”

“After pestering her for a few days, she helped us out.”

“…Well, I can imagine what that was like.”

Even so, it’s impressive.

In front of me, she only ever showed a submissive attitude, but Serejia is actually a being with such immense power that she’s called a demigod.

Even with my connection to them, she wouldn’t normally have granted such a request.

So, the fact that it was possible probably means…

‘These two have reached a level where even Serejia can’t disregard their abilities.’

Come to think of it, these two didn’t seem particularly threatened during the fight with the two members of the Seven Stars.

Perhaps they’re still hiding a few secret techniques.

“Oh, by the way, I have something to ask you.”

“You want to ask us something, Teacher?”

It was an issue I’d been pondering for a while—about the leader of Hades.

“…So that’s how it is. They seemed to know me from Thebe.”

“Even with that description, nothing comes to mind.”

“…Yeah. Teacher was never one to talk much about himself.”

As expected, neither Helena nor Astride had any useful information.

I sighed and asked the last question that came to mind.

“Then, do you know anything about the name Gildeon?”

The name of an ancient being that Hades was trying to summon, according to information Lee Ji-cheol had previously shared.

The moment they heard that name, both of their expressions suddenly changed.

“Seems like that rings a bell.”

“Of course it does… Wait, Teacher, you don’t know? That can’t be right…”

Helena’s reaction was even more intense and strange than I had expected.

When I looked at her with an expression that said “what are you talking about,” Helena continued with an incredulous look.

“Gildeon, THE Gildeon. The legendary necromancer.”

“Legendary?”

Now that she mentioned it, something did seem to ring a bell.

While I hadn’t particularly paid attention, there were certainly several necromancers on the other side famous enough to be recorded in history books.

Clearly, Gildeon must have been one of them.

But her words didn’t end there.

“Wait, how could you forget about destroying Gildeon’s ruins when you were the one who did it?”

“Destroyed what? Me?”

“…Yes. You definitely destroyed it. While muttering something about the so-called greatest necromancer being nonsense.”

As they spoke with such certainty, I carefully traced back through my memories. Though still hazy, I did seem to recall something similar happening.

“Well, I’ve destroyed so many things…”

“This is unbelievable. Do you know how much chaos that caused? People from that school came looking for the attacker, calling it blasphemous sacrilege.”

“…Oh?”

Finally, I remembered a bit. They were right. It was indeed something I had done.

“Ah, the originator of the Northern necromancy. Was that guy’s name Gildeon?”

I hadn’t recalled it because it wasn’t particularly memorable.

After all, why would I need to remember the name of someone who died ages ago?

Anyway, one thing was now clear. The leader of Hades was definitely a necromancer who had crossed over from Thebe, just like me.

“Wait, are you saying they’re trying to resurrect Gildeon? Is that even possible?”

“…This could be a serious problem.”

“What’s the big deal? If he’s resurrected, we just fight him.”

Despite my words, the two of them still couldn’t seem to relax.

“But Gildeon is truly a mythical figure, someone you’d only read about in books.”

“…There are so many legends about him.”

The two began reciting the stories they had read about him in their childhood.

They told of how Gildeon, after losing his loved one, completely burned down a palace, then hunted numerous monsters including a three-headed dragon, and eventually met the king of hell to say a final farewell to his lover.

“There are other stories too—how he could turn day into night with a single gesture, create an island in the middle of the sea, or command undead creatures larger than imperial fortresses…”

“Come on, enough already. Those are just stories. Besides, I can do most of those things too.”

It wasn’t actually wrong. I too had a record of destroying an entire kingdom.

Recalling this, the expressions of the two subtly changed.

“…Of course, Teacher will also be recorded in history books in various ways someday.”

“Why does your tone sound so sarcastic?”

“Perhaps you’ll be described as something like ‘a walking calamity’?”

After pondering for a moment, Helena spoke with a genuinely perplexed expression.

“Honestly, if Teacher and Gildeon were to fight, I can’t even begin to predict the outcome.”

“What are you talking about? Of course I would win.”

No matter how skilled he was, Gildeon is a figure from the past who has faded into history.

Hundreds or thousands of years must have passed since then, so he would inevitably possess outdated knowledge.

Moreover, I had already surpassed the knowledge level of all necromancers and reached a much higher realm.

A necromancer with superior command of necromancy than me?

I could state with certainty that such a person could not exist.

“As long as we’re talking about necromancy, there’s no one better than me.”

At my confidence, which might have seemed arrogant, Helena and Astride swallowed hard as they stared at me.

The magical power subtly rising and the deathly aura that had become almost complete.

Looking at the two facing this, I threw out one last comment.

“Well, this works out. I’ve been quite curious myself.”

“……”

“I wonder how much difference there is between the necromancy of a legendary necromancer and the necromancy I’ve perfected now. Huwup.”

In the middle of speaking, I collapsed onto the sofa, flailing my arms as a wave of nausea hit me.

And then I panicked.

“Th-this. Huurp.”

A sensation clearly etched in my memory that I had forgotten for a while.

It was the symptom of dimensional travel’s side effects hitting me.

‘I’m sure I had the ring activated…’

As I shifted my trembling gaze to my finger, I noticed the mental stabilization ring, now covered in cracks.

And soon after, it shattered pathetically, scattering its fragments across the floor.

Crack—!

Clatter.

“…Teacher? Are you okay?”

“What’s happening to you?”

The two rushed over in surprise, but I waved my hands frantically and managed to utter just one sentence.

“Urp. I-it’s fine. Just… stay ten meters away…”

After a very long time, I found myself crawling under the blankets for survival.

#

“Brother? Are you feeling any better?”

“…Somewhat.”

As I lay curled up in bed wrapped in blankets, Seoha approached me with worried eyes.

“I explained the situation to them briefly. For now, just rest well. I’ll work with Helena to find an artifact as quickly as possible.”

That was certainly the only option for now.

However, after careful consideration, I shook my head and replied to Seoha.

“…No, forget it. I don’t need it anymore.”

“Huh? But just now…”

“I can’t keep going like this.”

While wielding immense power through necromancy, I had partially recalled my mindset as a former lord.

Since when had I become such a weak being, dependent on mere tools?

Without realizing it, I had become obsessed with artifacts, gradually becoming conditioned to their effects.

But this wasn’t the right answer.

At least, I hadn’t lived so pathetically after being sent to Thebe on that day of change.

If I continued trying to solve the side effects by depending on something, that weakness would take root within me and never easily disappear.

‘…I can definitely handle it better than before.’

I had only lost my composure because it had been a while since I experienced the side effects, but the intensity itself had diminished considerably.

If I faced it head-on from now on, I would surely be able to overcome it gradually.

“It’s time I finally shook this off.”

Having made my resolution, I immediately threw off the blanket, opened the door, and extended my hand to Astride, who was peeling a tangerine.

“Here, take my hand.”

“…Teacher?”

“Ugh. Just do it quickly.”

Surprisingly, conversation itself was manageable. If so, I should be able to endure physical contact as well.

Whether she understood my intentions or not, Astride tilted her head curiously, then pulled me close and embraced me.

And then.

Tap tap tap.

Slam!

“Urp. Uweeeeek…”

Due to far more physical contact than I had prepared for, I ended up spending quite some time trembling in the bathroom.